Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with Holiday

Where can we stretch our legs on Thanksgiving Day?

Dick Paris — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:48:23 -0800

Thanksgiving Day ~~dinner~~ drive: we're driving on Thanksgiving Day — with our three year old boy. We'll need to stop. And run. And climb. And jump. And throw things. It's easier if the weather is pleasant but what if it's not…and everything is closed. Suggestions for this route through mid-south Ohio or across the middle. Will anything be open? We've stopped at malls on our trips northeast but don't know if malls are open on Thanksgiving Day or even where they are. Outdoor suggestions welcome as well. Maybe the weather will be good. Certainly we will be driving the same route again. (And no, movie theaters are not an option.)

Berlin itinerary for early December

trashcan — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:24:37 -0800

My wife and I are going to Berlin for 7-8 nights at the beginning of December. We have been before and did most of the local sights and loved it, but that was in summer. I would love some itinerary ideas for this visit. We love to sightsee and enjoyed Checkpoint Charlie, Reichstag, TV Tower, the zoo, Brandenburg Gate, Museums and Galleries.

We enjoy nice cafes, rock music, christmas, markets, boat trips, eating, live music, safe environments!, gadgets, football, swimming (lots).

Please give us some ideas - we go on a wednesday and leave on the thursday following

thanks

Affordable rental cars in Orlando for New Years?

indyz — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:15:55 -0800

Is it possible to get a reasonably priced rental car at or near Orlando International Airport around New Years? The best rates I can find are about $500 for December 31st through January 5th. Needless to say, I'm not excited about paying $90+ a day to rent a Chevy Aveo. At those prices it would be cheaper for me to take an extra day or two off work and drive my own car from Chicago to Florida and back, and that's not even factoring in the cost of plane tickets.

Am I just out of luck due to the timing of my trip? Or do any of you more seasoned travelers know where to find deals?

Moving + cats + leaving town how-to help needed!

iamkimiam — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:30:22 -0800

Advice for moving to a new place, 1 hr. from the old place, with 2 cats, and leaving town 4 days later for Thanksgiving holiday. I'll be moving into a new place with my boyfriend and two cats, about 1 hr from my old place. We're moving four days before Thanksgiving, and have far out-of-town plans for the holiday+weekend. I'm worried about my cats adjusting to the new place, our leaving town, and finding somebody to look after them while we're gone. We don't know anybody in the new town yet.

What are our options for kitty care? And should we be worried about the cats stressing out with the new place, and us not being there?

Where are the awesome flat, non-fragile gifts?

shesbookish — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:24:27 -0800

What should I get my kind, but difficult to shop for in-laws for Christmas? More details inside. My in-laws are visiting us in early December and we'll be exchanging gifts at that time. The number one requirement is that the gift be something that can travel back with them. We've done gift cards a few years in a row now, but they do the same for us and it's getting kind of bland. I would like to do something different, but I can't think of other options.

My in-laws are well off and don't really need anything. My father-in-law is a former naval officer and likes to be handy around the house. My mother-in-law loves super healthy things and is a bit of a world traveler.

Any suggestions for suitcase friendly gifts?

Lake District Recommendations?

Elmore — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:03:08 -0800

UKFilter: Planning a camping trip to the Lake District in October looking for suggestions and recommendations of places to stay and things to do. My girlfriend and me are taking the car from Dublin to Holyhead and going to drive to Cumbria to see the Lake District in October. We're planning on camping for most of the trip, but may stay in a hotel/b&b/pub guesthouse type place for a night or two on the way back (thinking of Chester, but open to suggestions).

As far as camping in the Lake District there seem to be a lot of camp sites. Any recommendations? Are there some outstanding places - re facilities, location, people who run it, etc. Or any places to avoid?

As far as activities; well it will obviously be relatively active - plenty of walking, running, bike hire etc. Would like to get a bit more adventurous (thinking kayaking or climbing). Any good places for beginners to get stuck in without being overwhelmed or bored?

Are there any real gems out there - pubs, places to visit, museums, villages, etc., that don't get mentioned on the tourist websites? Any suggestions for a nice town to stay in for the last night before getting the ferry home - somewhere about an hour or so from Holyhead?

Active Holiday end October?

beemsterman — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:46:20 -0800

I'm looking for a holiday destination. Last weeks of October where I can hike (mountains), bike (atb) and learn diving (padi). No resorts or too much luxury, just basic accomodation. I'm alone so it would be nice to meet more travellers. Doe you have suggestions?

Talk like a Pirate Day: More holidays, more fun!

flibbertigibbet — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:41:31 -0800

My workplace (retail; caters to a local university almost exclusively) recently celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day. It was awesome fun. They want a list of other fun holidays they can celebrate, especially ones that occur during the month of September or January (the only months that we have enough employees to make it worthwhile). Could you recommend any other fun holidays? If all else fails, could you help us make up some holidays (and please mention if they're made up)?

What can I expect from Oman?

jonesor — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:35:47 -0800

I'm going to Oman for 2 weeks in January (including New Year's Eve). What can I expect? I'm visiting Oman to go scuba diving with a friend. Our accommodation is already arranged in Muscat, and we have access to a 4x4 car.

I'll not be spending all my time in the water, so what other things would you recommend I do/see? I'm interested in wildlife, the great outdoors, history etc. So anything along those lines would be of interest.

What food/drink should I try?

Also, are there any cultural things I should be aware of so I don't cause offence?

Any other tips specific to Oman/Muscat would also be appreciated.

Will we have a tip-top Tet?

Serial Killer Slumber Party — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:41:30 -0800

Just how chaotic does Vietnam get during Tet? Is it going to be a problem for inexperienced travelers? My girlfriend and I (both 20) are planning on going on our first independent trip around Cambodia and Vietnam during January. Tet will be celebrated while we are away (January 26 I believe) and most travel guides and basic advice we have heard is that traveling can get tricky then due to overbooked hotels and closed services either end of the celebrations.

We will likely be in Hoi An during Tet itself (other possibilities include Hue or Danang) and will mostly be traveling north through Vietnam via bus and train. The festival certainly sounds like a lot of fun (and we can't change the timing of our trip anyhow) but there is still concern about missing out on accommodation or having to settle for more expensive rooms (we are ridiculously poor students).

Is this something that inexperienced travelers should be wary about? And should we book accommodation early (which we'd rather not do)?

Any good Tet stories would be more than welcome.

Where Does it Snow in Europe at Christmas?

mary8nne — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 05:39:42 -0800

Europe: Where does it Snow for Xmas? I'm looking for a nice romantic getaway for Xmas in Europe where we can be assured of Snow around actual Christmas Day? (ie a week around 25th December).

Not looking for a Skiing Holiday.

Just looking for a little cottage in the snow, to sit around with a book cook some goose, etc. head into town for some bread and pastries..

We were looking at Switzerland - (Lucerne or similar) but apparently it often doesn't snow there until Jan.

Looking for an e-guitar boot camp!

lord_yo — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:14:15 -0800

My wife and I are looking for a "boot camp" to learn to play electric guitar. Can you recommend any kind of retreats, workshops camps, schools, that offer intense one- or two-week e-guitar training in a pleasant, vacation-like surroundings? We are based in Switzerland; European workshops - if there are any - would be our first pick, but we're open for other options as well. We speak English, German and French.

Italo Disco

sgt.serenity — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:16:16 -0800

Got a week in Pisa, Italy - looking for good places to camp nearby the beach and wonderful metafiltery things to do : ) Yep, I heard about - see the tower and thats it but me and the kochanie are into being by the beach, camping, maybe some good food and how to get to rome or florence by train and quick back would be really helpful - I'm sure there's some beautiful scenery there also thats off the beaten track and someone from mefi would know about as well : ) - some italo disco clubs would be really funny : )

Let's come up with a few cool ideas, yuk yuk.

Willie0248 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:55:44 -0800

Help us flesh out our cool-weather anticipation celebration! My ladyfriend and I hate hot weather with a fiery passion. I know, I know... Most people love summer, but down here in the forested parts of the Texas coastland it gets too hot and muggy to do anything outdoors comfortably. The parks and trails are completely deserted around this time of year for this very reason. In response, we have decided that we are starting our own holiday to commemorate the day after the hottest day of the year (by average), which is the first day that the temperature starts dropping! From here on out, every day will be a little cooler than the last, allowing a few exceptions. Oh yeah!

First, we need a name for the holiday. Coldmas? Coolfest? Frostember? All the names we come up with kinda stink, as you can see. Let's see if you can do better!

Second, we need some meals. This will be an all-day event, so we need ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Obviously, the dinner is most important. This is when all the guests will arrive to enjoy our cold-weather themed snacks and treats! There will also be the obligatory adult beverages, if you have any cute ideas in that department.

Lastly, we need ideas for activities or what have you. Cold theme is a must!

Please evaluate my route from Italy to Spain by car

zaebiz — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:07:07 -0800

I plan to drive from Venice, Italy to Valenica, Spain in April or May 2009 using the following route. I will stay for a few days or weeks in little spots along the way. I should have about six weeks in total. I mostly want to see a little of Spain and Italy, the French Riviera, Montpellier, Marseilles and finish at Valencia. Apart from that anything else I should try to see? Any parts of the chosen route I should avoid? What's driving like along that route? Any rental car companies which will let me pick up in Italy and drop off in Spain?

Holidaying on my own?

anonaccount — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:45:32 -0800

What to do with 15 days holiday, and no one to spend it with. I'm a 25yo guy living in the UK, recently split with my long-term girlfriend.

I have holiday time that I have to take before the end of the year but I'm not sure what to do. I feel like I'm in need of a break but it's going to be impossible for me to arrange something with friends, which means any time off work will likely be spent alone and bored.

How can I best make use of this time on my own with a fairly limited budget? Would it be crazy to go on holiday to Ibiza or somewhere on my own?

It's up to you, New York!

electriccynic — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:04:45 -0800

I've been tasked with taking 8 members of my family, needing five bedrooms from the UK to New York in June 2009. Any advice on group booking deals and the like, for flights and/or hotels? Am I looking too early for good deals?

Istanbul, Constantinople ...

the luke parker fiasco — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:14:01 -0800

Turkey vs. Greece: A colleague of mine is looking for suggestions on the best place to visit for a seaside vacation with her 15-year-old son. This more or less encompasses the criteria she gave me. She is planning to take a vacation in the next six weeks or so, with her son. They want to go to the seaside in either country, and are looking for suggestions on the best location to choose, where to stay, etc. She did mention the word "resort", but I'm assuming that outrageously expensive locales are to be avoided. Where are the places you've gone, loved, would recommend?

Recommendations for European holidays with a 19month old in tow?

blacksky — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:17:56 -0800

Recommendations for European holidays with a 19month old in tow? We live in the UK, and are looking for recommendations for holiday destination in mainland Europe that are toddler friendly, yet affordable.

Specifically which hotels/apartments have you stayed in with your toddler that you felt was well equipped and welcoming for little ones.

More generally, what are your experiences with resort holidays vs the more free-range type holiday with toddlers in tow?

Although we're open to package/resort holidays, in the past, we've booked our own flights, hotels, transfers etc in places like the south of France, or northern Italy and thoroughly enjoyed that kind of freedom. We are particularly worried about the availability of things like high chairs, cots, car seats etc to borrow/rent so we don't have to lug them around with us.

How can I make the most of a trip to Iceland in August?

chinese_fashion — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:12:56 -0800

How can I plan a trip to Iceland this August? What do you recommend to do, where to stay, what to budget ... and how can we spend money intelligently rather than in tourist traps, etc. I am hoping to meet a friend in Reykjavik this August. I'm flying in from NYC, he (is an Aussie) from Ghana.

We both love checking out natural wonder, hiking, natural hot springs, etc., but would greatly appreciate turning it out at bars at night sometimes, too. I know very, very little about the country, apart from the fact that it's both gorgeous and pricey.

What would you recommend doing while there? Any "can't-miss" things? Affordable hotels that may be a cut above hostels without being exactly opulent?

Any links, tips, ideas where to start are greatly appreciated. I'm not sure where to turn, but need to get planning.

Shopping the 4th Of July weekend in Seattle

cgg — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:54:28 -0800

SeattleFilter: The BF and I are going to be in Seattle tomorrow. Are there any 4th-Of-July-weekend sales events or goings on we should know about? We drive down to Seattle from Vancouver on a pretty regular basis to shop. We usually go about once every couple months, so we do have a pretty decent idea of where we're going. With that and the GPS, we're up for anything between Bellingham and Tacoma, out to Auburn to the east. Basically, the I5 and the I405. (If something just can't be missed that's outside that range however, we're open to making it happen if it's really worth the trip.)

The places we usually hit include a bunch of guitar shops (the BF's weakness), plus Seattle Premium Outlets, The Auburn Supermall, Fry's, and maybe Bellis Fair in Bellingham if we have time.

Are there other sales events or things we should know about given the 4th of July holiday today?

(Yes, I've checked the other questions, but this is specific to a particular date. And although cool, I have no desire to see Archie McPhee's again, thanx.)

I love you, but I hate your style.

hwyengr — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:32:13 -0800

I'm 28 and still being dressed by my mother. Every birthday and Christmas, she buys me more clothes. But they're awful, hideous things. How do I get her to stop? I love my mom a lot, but she thinks I'm still 12. Sure, it's the thought that counts. However, shouldn't I be able to get some joy from my holiday gifts? And it's not like it's one thing, she's probably spending $100 on things I'll wear once to be polite (if that), then let fester in my closet before going to Goodwill. To top it off, I've lost 40 lbs since college, but she thinks I'm still 2 sizes larger, despite my repeated efforts to correct her.

My sister (32) suffers the same fate. It's an ongoing joke about our regular trips to donate our "Mom Clothes". We've both made slight hints that we would prefer gift cards so that we could pick out our own clothing, but she insists she knows better than we do.

Of course, giving gifts brings her joy. But, I feel bad that she's wasting her money. Am I just ungrateful?

Independence Day in LA

dead_ — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:59:33 -0800

What's the best (cheap) thing to do on the Fourth in Los Angeles?

I need a cool remix of a non-denominational holiday song.

tealeaf522 — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:55:15 -0800

Does anyone know of a version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" or "Let It Snow" or "Winter Wonderland" or any other non-denominational holiday song that has been remade so that it's upbeat? A cool electronic or hip hop remix would be awesome. It's important that it's upbeat and not slow and mellow like the originals are usually sung.

UK visa question

mooza — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:10:12 -0800

I'm applying for a UK working holiday visa. I'm Australian. The rules on the britaus website state that I must be in the UK within three months of my application. The website also says I should apply in my own country. Hm. I was planning on travelling for around 5 months BEFORE landing in the UK. I called the expensive helpline and asked if I could apply in another country if I had to, and they said there were no guarantees and that it was at the discretion of whichever consulate I went to.

I've never applied for a visa before. Does anyone know if my chances are good with applying in a country other than my own? A friend of mine got one when he was in Holland, but that was a few years ago and I'm not sure if the UK has changed things to make it harder. I could do it in either Canada or Berlin. I'd be a bit nervous about sending away my passport while in a foreign country but if I knew there were others who did it recently I might feel a little more confident.

My other choice is to cut down my travelling in Nth America considerably and going to activate the visa in the UK before going again to Berlin which was where I was planning on going first. It ain't ideal...